We
strive to make minimal impact on the environment,
and also want to help you achieve that common
goal, which is why we offer the “2green”
option for your landscape. Installing a sustainable
landscape is a great start at helping the environment,
and you can strengthen this impact by using less
or no chemicals, organic fertilizers and supplements.
The additional cost for this is very minimal.
We do use organic mulch and soil amendments as
a standard.
In
a further commitment to the environment in the
everyday operations of Inside Out Design, LLC,
we:
•
Run our business out of a sustainably and
environmentally responsible constructed
office.
• Use energy efficient office equipment.
• Run our website with a 100% renewable
powered host.
• Use water wisely. Water recycling,
gathering, and water reducing irrigation
are common practices.
• We reduce waste whenever possible,
upcycle and recycle.
• Reduce the waste of trees and paper
by e-mailing estimates, invoices and other
correspondence. (If you prefer to receive
paper statements or correspondence, please
let us know.)
• Support local environmental groups
and businesses.
• Buy locally grown plant material,
when possible. |
10
Ways to Garden Organically
The major benefits of organic gardening
are many:
• Less harmful
chemicals on the food you and your
family may eat. This is reason
enough.
• Less harm to the
environment.
• Cost savings as
alternate sources can save you money.
• You will feel
better knowing you are doing your
part. |
1.
Amend Soil
• Test your soil for deficiencies
if you don’t want pests and
weeds. Just as humans get sick when
they are not healthy, if the soil
is deficient of nutrients pests and
weeds are a bigger problem. If you
feed the soil, the plants will look
after themselves.
2. Compost
• Use it for mulch and fertilizer.
• By using natural materials
like manure, composted weeds and kitchen
scraps we are using organic materials
and reducing what goes into the waste
stream.
• What can I compost?:
• Kitchen scraps - egg shells,
tea bags, vegetables, fruit, paper,
paper towels, coffee grounds, etc.
(Do not put any animal products into
your compost)
• Leaves, twigs – Do not
put any diseased plant into the compost
• Grass/lawn clippings
• Hay and/or straw
• Weeds and other garden waste
– Dry first to make sure they
are completely dead and also avoid
weeds that have gone to seed, as seeds
will germinate in your compost pile
• Wood chips and sawdust
3. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
• Use only plant matter for
mulching.....no plastics or rocks.
Rocks don’t hold moisture and
get too hot.
• Mulch helps hold in moisture
and keep weeds out if it’s thick
enough, recommended 2-2-1/2”.
4. Fertilizer
• Use manures for fertilizer
in place of chemical fertilizer.
• Use natural fertilizers. Synthetic
fertilizers kill the soil microorganisms
that help fight pests and disease.
5. Use water wisely
• Do not overwater and try to
use collected rainwater to water your
garden.
• You can also install a water
cistern or other system to collect
rain water and grey water from your
home (sinks, shower, dishwasher, and
washing machine water) to reuse the
water in your garden. All of the detergents
and soaps used need to be organic,
biodegradable, and phosphate free.
• Create a rain garden to reduce
storm water runoff.
6. Plants
• Choose the right plants for
your area.
• Use drought resistant plants.
• Use a good mix of native and
hardy plants, they will naturally
resist pests and disease and therefore
thrive in your garden. Not all native
plants are hardy. Not all non-native
plants are hardy.
• Do not plant invasive plants
- They take over and destroy other
plants.
• Learn and apply proper techniques
to grow healthy plants and avoid plants
disease.
• Use companion plants that
help ward of insects and other pests.
7. Pests
• Use natural insect predators
like Preying Mantis and Ladybugs (control
aphids). If they do not exist in your
area, companies sell them. Other beneficial
insects/animals include birds, spiders,
dragonflies, damselflies, wasps, parasitic
nematodes, and worms.
• Snakes, cats, and dogs will
help rid your garden of rodents.
• Using natural insecticides
and deterrents such as garlic or soap
sprays to deter insects.
• You have to be willing to
give up a little portion of your crop
to the bugs in order to produce and
consume healthier food for you and
your family.
8. Weeds
• Use a little extra muscle
power to control weeds versus getting
out the weed killer.
• Corn gluten is a great all
natural weed preventative.
• In my garden, I lay out old
newspapers between the rows, then
top that with straw or lawn clippings
to prevent weeds from popping up.
Be sure you have not put chemicals
on your lawn if you are going to use
them in your garden.
• Plant groundcovers in empty
pockets to fill in so weeds can’t
grow there.
• Mulch! 2-3” of mulch
will help keep most weeds out.
9. Conserve and recycle
10. Use natural lawn care |
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